Veteran naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough will undergo urgent heart surgery to insert a pacemaker and will not make a planned speaking tour in Australia this month, promoters said Tuesday.
“Sir David Attenborough is to undergo surgery in London today following advice from his cardiologist that he is in urgent need of a pacemaker,” Australian promoter Lateral Event Management said in a statement cancelling his events.
“Sir David expressed his extreme disappointment as he said he was very much looking forward to coming back to Australia and he hopes to reschedule his tour in the near future.”
The BBC presenter is famous for acclaimed nature programmes including “Life on Earth”, “The Living Planet” and “The Trials of Life”.
His acclaimed career, which has spanned six decades, saw him knighted in 1985.
Attenborough had been due to begin a sellout tour of Australia next week.
Attenborough cancels Australia tour due to surgery
